Rock Chain # 8: Nicknames

This is something I used to do in a magazine I used to edit a couple of years ago. I took the idea from a column that used to appear on Scientific American magazine written by a British scientist called James Burke. His column was called “Connections” and consisted in relating history and science facts that were linked by a word until the cycle was finished. I just adapted it to Rock And Roll. Now, I’ll try to resurrect it every first Friday of the month here at the blog.

Derek William Dick is the real name of Marillion original singer Fish. Fish was a voracious reader and depicted a lot of his favorite writers on the cover of Marillion’s Clutching At Straws. There were Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote, Robert Burns and Dylan Thomas.

Dylan Thomas was the reason why a certain Robert Zimmerman would use his last name as Dylan. Bob Dylan was born in the state of Minnesota, also the birthplace of Soul Asylum, Prince and Hüsker Dü.

Hüsker Dü leader was Bob Mould who admitted being gay in an interview in the early nineties, at the same time of Judas Priest lead singer, Rob Halford.

Rob Halford left Judas Priest in the early nineties and formed another great Metal band called Fight with guitarist Russ Parish, who now plays on comedy Metal act, Steel Panther.

Although a parody, Steel Panther is currently touring with Judas Priest and already toured with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe.

Mötley Crüe whose members were confirmed hell-raisers until, by their own account, they met Ozzy Osbourne.

Ozzy in the early nineties, not only released one of the best albums of his career with No More Tears, he also appeared as a guest on albums of at least three other bands: Alice Cooper, Motörhead and the most different of all, Infectious Grooves.

Infectious Grooves was a project that had in its ranks Suicidal Tendencies members Mike Muir (vocals) and Robert Trujillo (bass).

Robert Trujillo is a member of Metallica for more than 10 years now and this November the documentary he produced called Jaco will be released. It is about the Jazz-Rock bass player Jaco Pastorius.

Jaco Pastorius was obviously famous for his tenure in Weather Report, but he also played with people ranging from Pat Metheny to Joni Mitchell.

Joni Mitchell made a historic concert at Woodstock, just like those of Santana, Country Joe and, of course Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix often quoted Buddy Guy as one of his main inspirations.

Buddy Guy in the sixties was a member of the Muddy Waters’ band.

Muddy Waters was born Mckinley Morganfield, and earned his nickname for playing in the waters of a creek near his house. Do you know who was also nicknamed by liking to play in the water near his home? Marilion’s first singer, Fish.